Boat Accident Attorneys

If you've been injured in an accident in the boating industry and it wasn't your fault you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. These expenses may include medical bills, physical therapies, and lost income because of your inability to work.

Some victims can be awarded punitive damages, when the conduct of the defendant was egregious and reckless. These awards are designed to penalize the defendant for their blunders and to deter future incidents.

Personal Injury

Although boating accidents can lead to serious injuries, the majority of them are preventable. Untrained and inexperienced boaters are a common cause of boat accidents, as are other reckless choices like driving under the influence, transporting too many passengers, or reckless behavior. The severity of the injuries vary from minor bruises to paralysis due to brain injury or a spinal cord injury.

Victims of a boating accident are entitled to compensation for medical bills and loss of income or work as they recover from their injuries. If their injuries last for a long time they may also be able to recover expenses for long-term care. Insurance companies frequently try to settle for less money than the victims should receive when estimating claims' value. An experienced lawyer can assist you in negotiating for the most lucrative settlement you can get.

A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct an extensive investigation into the accident in order to gather all evidence relevant. This includes gathering important documents, including witness statements and police reports as well as logs of maintenance for the vessel chemical tests, photographs of the accident scene and property damage. Other crucial information can be gathered from medical records that include detailed descriptions of the injuries sustained, expenses incurred, and estimates of future costs. The lawyer will then negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault person or insurance company.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Maritime workers on supply ships, workboats and other vessels are typically exposed to hazardous conditions in the course of their employment. They are at risk of getting injured not just by cargo or equipment falling as well as boat accidents resulting from the negligence or inattention of other passengers on board the vessel.

Seamen are entitled to certain rights under the Jones Act and other federal laws designed to protect them from the negligence of employers. They have the right to full compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. These damages can be a result of medical expenses and lost wages, as well as the cost of living during recuperation along with pain and suffering as well as other benefits in the form of money.

Often, seamen who are injured while on a supply ship, tugboat, dredger, barge, oil tanker, or cruise or sightseeing boat require more than just workers' compensation to compensate their injuries. A New York boat accident attorney (visit the next document) can identify third party claims that the seaman could be eligible for like claims of unsafeness or the employer's inability to maintain the safety of the vessel.

Your lawyer will collect important documents and evidence pertaining to your claim, including medical records and insurance policy details or police reports, among others. They will then enter into settlement negotiations with the lawyer for the defendant and insurance company on your behalf. If a fair settlement is not agreed upon, they will create an effective case for trial on your behalf.

Product Defects

While the majority of boat crashes occur due to negligent or reckless actions of the boat accident lawyers's operator, there are also many instances when a crash actually the result of faulty equipment. In these instances, the victims may sue the manufacturer that manufactured the defective product to claim compensation. In these situations, a Reston, VA product defect lawyer can help.

Defective equipment and boats may be covered by claims based on negligence or strict liability law. A warranty claim may be caused by a breach of express or implied warranties created by law, such as the New Jersey used car lemon laws or the guarantees of the merchantability and fit and finishing under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Latent defects are usually covered by insurance policies too. While some individuals may assert that a problem is evident or obvious however, courts usually require expert testimony by a surveyor or other qualified professional to determine whether the mechanical breakdown or damage resulted from an unnoticed issue.

Certain defects are discovered after the boat is sold. They are usually regarded as manufacturing defects and are the responsibility of the manufacturer. They are often discovered after the boat is operated and owned and may be the fault of the owner. One example is when a boat owner fails to empty the engine of water and the water freezes, which affects the motor in winter.

Insurance

Boating and other water sports are very popular in New York, a state with easy access the Atlantic Ocean and many lakes. However, like most sports, they also carry certain risks and liabilities that could affect the lives of those who participate.

Individuals who have been injured can file a personal injury claim or wrongful death suit to seek compensation. Damages include medical expenses, loss of income, property loss as well as pain and suffering, boat accident attorney diminished quality of life, permanent disability, disfigurement, and other costs. In the event of gross negligence, victims may also seek punitive damage.

Insurance companies can be difficult to work with in a case involving a boat especially when their primary goal is to settle the least amount possible. Make sure you are level playing field by hiring a NYC lawyer for boating injuries who will work with insurance companies to ensure that all parties are held accountable for their actions.

An experienced lawyer will review all available evidence including police reports, medical records and witness testimony. Then, they'll enter into negotiations with the at-fault party and their insurance company in order to reach an equitable settlement. If they fail to reach a settlement, our attorneys will prepare for trial. We are experts at presenting evidence to support your claim and securing the highest amount of financial compensation.